German chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced that Italy and Germany have agreed to push ahead with work on the construction of a pipeline to transport gas and hydrogen between the two countries.
‘Strengthened cooperation on diversifying energy supply is very important for me. Expanding supply networks in Europe will benefit us all and certainly increase energy security,’ says Scholz. ‘For that reason, I am pleased that we have agreed to press on with the work on a new natural gas and hydrogen pipeline between Italy and Germany,’ he adds.
‘On the energy front we agree that it is very important to ensure the diversification of our supply sources and to work on connecting infrastructures, particularly in the Mediterranean,’ says Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.
Last month, Italy, Germany and Austria signed a letter of support for the development of a hydrogen-ready pipeline between North Africa and Europe, as European countries continue to adapt to changes in exports from Russia.
The 3,300 km project is led by four major European transmission system operators: Snam, Trans Austria Gasleitung, Gas Connect Austria and Bayernets in Germany.
Sea Corridor, a joint venture between Snam and Italian energy group Eni, operating the gas pipelines that connect North Africa with Italy, is also part of the consortium that will build the infrastructure, named SoutH2 Corridor. This could transport 4 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen, according to detailed technical designs by the consortium. It is one of three hydrogen projects under review by the European Union.
